Apparatus for mining sulfur.



No. 800,127. PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

H. FRASOH.

APPARATUS FOR MINING SULFUR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1903.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

Original application filed May 27, 1897, Serial No. 638,357; Divided and this application filed November 23, 1903. Serial No. 182,359.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN FRASOH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Mining Sulfur, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to the removal of sulfur from deposits in the earth, which consist of or contain free sulfur, by fusing the sulfur in the underground deposit and raising it in a melted condition; but some of the improvements admit of. a Wider application, and each of themis intended to be secured for all the uses to which it may be adapted. v

Heretofore I have secured Letters Patent of the United States No. 461,429, dated Ootober 20, 1891, for the recovery of sulfur by the process above indicated, and also Letters Patent No. 461,430 .for apparatus for effect ing such recovery. In said patents appara tus is described in which there are pipes by which hot water is circulated through the underground deposit, being introduced by one pipe and returned by another and being always above the temperature at which sulfur melts, For raising the melted sulfur use is made in the patents of one of said pipes or else an additional, pipe is provided for the purpose. Either way the melted sulfur is forced up the proper pipe by the pressure in the mine-cavity or by (the direct lift of a pump at the bottom of the sulfur-pipe. For heating the water fire-heated boilers are provided in said patents, through which the water to be heated is passed. With asulfur deposit of such nature that the walls of the minecavity are tight, and so able to allow the necessary pressure to be developed in the said cavity, the lifting of the melted sulfur by the hydraulic pressure can be effected; but in the case of a sulfur deposit in porous rock, which would not allow a suflicient pressure to exist therein, it was heretofore necessary to resort to a lifting-pump whose action was not dependent upon the tightness ofthe walls of the mine-cavity. Such a. pump, while capable of use, is undesirable for raising the melted sulfur-for one reason on account of difficulty with the valves. In accordance with the present invention, the pipe up which the melted sulfur is raised from the deposit is combined with another pipe conveying compressed air or other aeriform fluid and discharging "the latter at the melting temperature.

same into the column ofmelted sulfur in the former pipe. The mingling of the air with the melted sulfur reduces the average density of the column and allows the available pressure in the mine-cavity to support a longer column, and I have discovered in case the pressure in the mine-cavity will raise water to the surface of the ground that sufficient air can be mixed with the melted sulfur to bring this latter to the surface. Moreover, a deposit in porous rock has been encountered which is flooded with naturalwater and I have discovered that much of the dilficulty encountered in obtaining sulfur from such deposit has been due to the coldness of this naturally-presentwater and its tendency tomix with the hot water for fusion. Difliculty on this accountis lessened, in accordance with the present invention, by dispensing with the re-,

turn-pipe for hot water, the mine-cavity being closed against egress of water except through plying the hot water for fusing the sulfur one or more heaters are provided, which receive water under pressure (from, say, proper pumps) and also, steam under pressure (from suitable generators) and which have their outlets connected with the mine-piping for introducing the water for fusion into the mine, (or, in other words, into the underground deposit.) This indirect heating arrangement has several practical advantages over that of my said patents in which the water for fusion is raised above the melting-point of sulfur directly by passage through fire-heated boilers. The generation of steam seems more efficiently to take up heat from the fire than themere elevation of the sensible temperatureof water; but besides this the'heating of the water by condensation of steam therein regulates itself to a certain extent automatically, since a fall of temperature in the water-heater is attended by a decrease in-the pressure therein and a consequent. inflow of a larger quantityof steam. It is alsoconsidered an advantage to have the hot water in-the sulfur deposit subjected constantly to the steam-pressure con- -veyed through the water which-stands in the IIO pipe or pipes for conveying the same down into the sulfur deposit. By this steam-pressure the column of water in the hot-water pipe or pipes may have its upper surface a considerable distance below ground, and this distance (in the case of porous rock, where there is a certain natural pressure which cannot be exceeded) will depend upon the amount of steam-pressure. The pressure of steam may therefore (in such case) be increased without increasing the pressure in the mine, but simply diminishing the height of the water column in the hot-water pipe. NVhen the maximum pressure in the rock is not thus restricted, the Said pressure can be controlled by varying the steam-pressure and the hot-water column, either or both. Thus the steam may in many cases be allowed directly to heat the well for a considerable distance below ground, and in any casea supply of water of appropriate temperature and pressure can be obtained.

In my said Patent No. 461,429 the hot-water pipe (therein termed a casing) by which the hot water is carried down into the mine opens at the bottom into the upper part of the cavity, from the bottom of which the melted sulfur is removed; but in my apparatus, Patent No. 461,430, also dated October 20, 1891, it is shown also as being extended into the sulfur deposit and terminating a short distance above the lower end of the pipe up which the melted sulfur is raised. In both cases, however, the hot water is introduced at one place only, and there is only one hot-water pipe. A feature of the present invention consists in providing hot-water outlets in the sulfur deposit at different levelsnamely, at a short distance above the intake for the melted sulfur and at the upper part of the sulfur-bearing deposit. This double delivery of the hot Water tends to counteract the bad efl'ects of the water naturally present in the sulfur-bearing strata. This natural water being heavier than the hot water tends to flow in under the latter, mixing with it and cooling it if introduced in the lower part of the mine-cavity, or if the hot water is introduced at the upper part of the cavity being liable to chill the melted sulfur. By the upper delivery a flow of the hot Water over the walls of the cavity is secured, while the lower delivery prevents the chilling of the sulfur. A furtherfeature in the same connection is the use of two hot- Water pipes for the upper and lower deliveries, respectively, so that the amount at each delivery can be regulated from the top of the ground.

In some soils it is difficult to attain a solid foundation for the pipes by which the fluids are conducted to and from themine, (or sulfur deposit.) A further feature of the present invention consists in the combination of a foundation of artificial rock formed in place with the outer pipe or casing and other hereinafter-specified devices. By means of this outer pipe or casing other pipes may be suspended.

Melted sulfur has a great ailinity for iron or steel; but it is found that coating iron or steel pipes with an appropriate metal they can withstand the action of the sulfur. A plant for mining sulfur by underground fusion, in which the sulfur-pipe or other parts of the apparatus which come into contact with the melted sulfur are made of iron or steel galvanized or coated with a metal which is non-corrodibleby sulfur, forms partof the invention.

The invention also comprises such other parts, improvements, and combinations as are hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating sulfur-mining apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the lower part of the air-injecting pipe, the sulfur-raising pipe, and one hot-water pipe; and Fig. $15 is adetail view showing the interior construction of the hot-water heaters.

In installing the mine apparatus the pipe A is driven down to the rock and a hole is then driven into the same. If on account of the porosity of the rock it is either too weak to furnish a proper foundation for the pipeA or would let much of the hot water escape to Waste, a hole is drilled for a DltltlOtCl'llllllt'tl distance and the so-made cavity is filled with a mixture, more or less fluid, of cement and water, which mixture is subjected to pressure to force itinto the rock. The holemay beof the same diameter as the interior of the d riyen pipe A, although this particular diameter is not essential. Portland cement is recommended for the mixture. Pressure may be applied to the cement mixture as or after it is run in by compressed air or other medium to the extent o'f,say, three hundred pounds or more or less, as may be thought best. After the cement has hardened a hole is then drilled through the artificial rock ,3 and so continued (with or without the further formation of artificial rock) to and through the sulfur-bearing deposit (l. \Vhen the well-hole is ready, the inner hot-water pipe 1), the sulfur-raising pipe I), and the air-injecting pipe F are inserted. The hot-water pipe l), as shown, has a plug 1) with a perforation therein through which the sulfur-raising pipe E passes. On said plug D the collar E of said pipe I) rests. The lower end of the pipe I), as shown, opens into a strainer I)", formed by an extension of the pipe I). The wall of thepipe I.) just above the plug 1) is perforated for the escape of the hot water into the mine. The wall of strainer I) is perforated, so as to let in the melted sulfur, butto keep outany solid particles. Should the holes in the strainer become clogged, the pipe E, with its collar E, can be lifted and hot water be forced through the plug I) into the strainer D and'out through the perforations in the wall thereof.

tom of the pipe E and is provided at its lower end with a perforated piece F, of zinc or other metal non-corrodible by sulfur-as alumin um, for example. These perforations are best made small, (say one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter,) so as to mingle the air in small bubbles with the melted sulfur. The sulfur-raising pipe E and other parts of the apparatus (as the air-pipe F and strainer D, with more or less of the pipe D, for example) which are exposed to the melted sulfur are best made ofgalvanized iron or steel, the coating of non-corrodible zinc protecting the corrodible iron surfaces from the melted sulfur. The joints may with advantage be further protected by a coat of white lead ground in linseed-oil.

The pipes A and D are supplied with hot waterit might be from any suitable source, but most advantageously from the heaters G H J. These would ordinarily be jacketed to retain the heat therein. They consist each of an elongated upright tank having a steaminlet pipe 2, a water-inlet pipe 3, a hot-water and steam-outlet pipe 4, and appliances within the tank for securing an intimate commingling of the steam from the pipe 2 with the water from the pipe 3. The pipes 4 conduct the hot Water and steam from the heaters to the hot-water pipes A and D, which become filled to a certain height with the hot water and above this hold steam under pressure. At 5 and 6 valves are shown for closing the inlets to pipes A and D whenever such closure may be necessary or desirable.

As shown in Fig. 3, the steam and water mixing appliances within the heaters G H J consist of a stack of pans K, of which only a portion is shown. Practically a stack of seventy pans of twenty-eight inches in diameter is recommended as suitable for heating one hundred and twent -five gallons of water per minute, the tank of the heater being supplied with live steam under a pressure of ninety pounds to the square inch above atmospheric pressure. The pans are best made of castiron three-quarters of an inch thick, although other materials and other thicknesses may be used. It is considered an improvement, however, to employ a mass of metal largely in excess of that of the water and steam present at any one time in the tank, so that such metal may act as a regulator in taking up and giving out heat derived from the steam. The number and size of the pans can of course be varied so long as a sufficient admixture is secured. The pans are set one upon another andare held apart by the legs7, by which they are supported. Inthe bottom of each pan are perforations 8, surrounded by low rims,.so that each pan will contain a layer of water with a steam-space between it and the The air-injecting. pipe F, as shown, extends nearly to the botdesired to have in the sulfur deposit a pres- 7 sure equal to a water-column the full depth of the mine plus the steam-pressure in the heater.

The operation is as follows: Water (at, say, the ordinary temperature) is pumped into the heaters through the pipes 3, and high-pressure steam is let in at the pipes 2. The water fills the pans to the tops of the rims around the perforations 8, through which it descends from pan to pan, being thus showered repeatedly through the high-pressure steam and exposed thereto in layers. The pans also act as conductors in conveying heat from the steam to the water. The volume of water and the volume, pressure, and temperature of the steam are adjusted to yield a proper supply of hot water for the fusion of sulfur in the mine. With the figures hereinbefore given the water should have on leaving the heaters G H J approximately the temperature of the steam. This is a desirable mode of working; but steam of a higher pressure than corresponds approximately with the tem- 5 perature desired for the water to be pumped intothe mine could be used, a less intimate mingling of-steam and water being employed. Ordinarily the steam and hot water flow together through the pipes A to the mine-pipes A and D, which the water fills to a certain height, leaving the space above to be occupied by steam. This is a desirable condition, as the steam warms the pipes, and there is consequently no diminution in the temperature of the wateruntil it descends below such underground steam-space. The water from the pipe A, which is preferably the larger in amount, flows around the walls of the minecavity and fuses the sulfur in said walls, which sulfur flows to the bottom of said cavity and forms a pool around the strainer D and lower end of the sulfur-raising pipe E. The water from the pipe D flows over the top of the melted sulfur and serves mainly to keep it and the contents generally of the mine-cavity at a high temperature. This mine-cavity is the deposit from which the sulfiir has been melted out, and it, of course, holds water in the place of sulfur so removed; but it may hold also the rock in which the sulfur was embedded. N o provision is made for the return of hot water from the mine-cavity to the surface of the ground; but the same is forced out through the walls of said cavity and flows away through the surrounding rock. Even after its temperature has fallen below the melting-point of sulfur it imparts heat to the rock in the vicinity of the mine-cavity and so aids in keeping the water in said cavity at the sulup into thesulfur-raising pipe E.

fur-melting temperature. The melted sulfur settles by gravity in a pool about the lower end of the pipes D and E, sealingthe pipeE against admission of water thereinto. The melted sulfur is foreedby the pressure in the mine-cavity If a sufficient pressure is available, it can be thereby forced in a solid column above ground; but where such pressure is not available it is most advantageous to reduce the average density of the column in the pipe E by injecting air through the pipe F into the melted sulfur near the base of the column. This air when it enters the pipe F may have the temperature of the melted sulfur or even a higher temperature, it being most conveniently allowed to retain heat imparted to it in the act of compression. The air may be injected in sufficient amount to constitute half the volume of the column, so that the average density of the melted sulfur mingled with air is about the same as that of water, and it may be used in even larger volume. Of course when a less average density is desired the amount of air may be proportionately reduced. Practically the amount of air is adjusted to the available pressure in the mine, and the air is compressed to such degree as to induce the flow of about the desired amount into the melted sulfur through the fine perforations at the lower end of the pipe F. The mingled air and sulfur is delivered from the pipe E into vats, in which the sulfur collects, the air leaving the sulfur while the latter is still liquid. As the sulfur is delivered without the water, (the little which may accompany the sulfur being insufficient by its vaporization to solidify the melted sulfur,) it may be discharged at atmospheric pressure.

Instead of air other aeriform fluid may be used, as superheated steam, ordinary highpressure steam, carbonic-acid or other inert gas, or even a volatile liquid (like water) which may assume the aeriform state as it is (or after it has been) injected into the melted sulfur.

The present application is a division and continuation of my application of May 27,

1897, Serial 510,638,357, the division being made solely in consequence of oificial requirement. In consequence of further official requirement of division, distinguishing between water-heating on the one hand and mining wherein water-heating should be an element on the other, 1 am not permitted to include claims herein on the water-heating means of the preceding description, such omission being without prejudice to my right otherwise to protect the same. tion, Serial No. 244,510, filed February 6, 1905, as a continuation of my said application of May 27 1897, I have claimed said waterheating means. In my application, Serial No. 244,508, filed February 6, 1905, as a continu- In a divisional applicaation of my said application of May 27, 1897, so far as it discloses matter therein (or herein) disclosed, 1 have claimed the installation of a well by the aid of a foundation of artilicial rock for the casing and have included in my claims both the installing process and the well itself. The making in my said application of February 6, 1905, of claim to matter disclosed herein and in my said application of May 27, 1897, is solely in consequence of oilicial requirement of division, although additional improvements in the installation of wells are also claimed in said application of February 6, 1905.

1 claim herein as my invention or discovery 1. Apparatus for mining by fusion, composed of a water-heater, a mine-pipe conducting hot water into the underground deposit, a mine-pipe up which the melted material is raised from said deposit, and a pipe conveying compressed aeriform fluid and discharging the same into the column of melted substance in the last-mentioned pipe, substantially as described.

2. Apparatus for mining byfusion, consisting, in combination with means for removing the melted material, of minepiping connected with means for forcing water at the fusing temperature through said piping into an underground porous deposit, and means whereby said deposit is closed against the return of the hot water to the surface of the ground, so that the said vater is forced to flow away through the surrounding porous rock, substantially as described.

3. Apparatus for mining by fusion, consisting of a mine-pipe connected with means for forcing water at the fusing tempe 'ature through said pipe into an underground porous deposit, and means whereby said deposit is closed against the return of the hot water to the surface of the ground, so that the said water is forced to iiow away through the perous rock, in combination with a mine-pipe up which the melted material is raised from said deposit, and a pipe conveying aeriform fluid and discharging the same into the said minepipe up which the melted material is raised, substantially as described.

4. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having a hot-water pipe, a pipe up which the melted material is raised provided with a strainer at its inlet end, and means whereby said strainer, while normally cut off from the hot-water pipe, can be put at will in communication therewith for clearing the perforations of said strainer, substantially as described.

5. A fluid-conveying pipe provided with a discharge-opening near its lower end and a closure having a perforation therein located in the pipe below said discharge-opening, and also provided with a strainer beyond said closure, in combination with a removable pipe projecting through said perforation and open- I into the underground deposit, terminating one at a higher and the other at a lower level, a pipe up which the melted material is raised from said deposit, and a pipe conveying compressed aeriform fluid and discharging it into the said mine-pipe up which the melted ma terial is raised, substantially as described.

8. Apparatus for mining by fusion, com-- posed-of a mine-pipe for conducting fusing fluid into the underground deposit, opening into the said deposit and also provided on its lower end with a strainer shut off from the pipe above, and a mine-pipe up which the melted material is raised from said deposit, opening at its lower end into the spacewithin said strainer, substantially as described.

9. Apparatus for mining by fusion, composed of a mine-pipe for conducting hot water into the underground deposit, opening into the said deposit and also provided on its lower end with a strainer shut off from the pipe above, a mine-pipe up which the melted ma terial is raised from said deposit, opening at its lower end into the space within said strainer, and a pipe conveying compressed aeriform fluid and discharging the same into the said mine-pipe up which the melted material is raised, substantially as described.

10. In apparatus for mining byfusion, and in combination'with a mine-pipe conducting the hot water into the underground deposit, and a mine-pipe for raising the melted mate rial, a heater having a pipe for inducting water ,under pressure, an inlet-pipe conveying high-pressure steam, appliances for bringing the steam and water into contact with each other, and an outlet-pipe connected with the first-mentioned mine-pipe so that the water therein is subjected to the steam-pressure, substantially as described.

11. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having mine-piping with delivery-openings at the upper and lower parts respectively 'of the mine-cavity, in combination with means whereby fusing fluid is delivered through said openings simultaneously to the upper and lower parts of said mine-cavity, out of which latter the water flows during such simultaneous delivery, substantially as de scribed.

12. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having pipes terminating at the upper and lower parts respectively of the mine-cavity, in combination with means for supplying hot water for fusion to said pipes for delivery of the same thereby simultaneously to the upper and lower parts of said mine-cavity, out of which latter the water flows during such simultaneous delivery, substantially as described;

13. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having means for delivering hot water for fusion at different levels in the underground deposit and also having a separate pipe up which the melted material is raised with its intake at a still lower level, the water flowing out of the mine-cavity during such delivery, substantially as described.

14. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having pipes delivering the hot water for fusion into the underground deposit, one at a higher and the other at a lower level, and also having an additional pipe up which the melted material is raised with its intake at a still lower level, the water flowing out of the mine-cavity during such delivery, substantially as described. v

15. In apparatus for mining by fusion, and in combination with mine-pipes conducting the hot water into the underground deposit, and a mine-pipe for raising the melted material, a number of heaters having pipes for inducting water and steam under pressure thereinto and appliances therein for bringing the steam and Water into contact with each other and also having outlet-pipes connected with the first-mentioned minespipes so that these receive hot water under pressure of said steam from said heaters, substantially as described.

16. The combination with heaters for'raising the temperature of water by contact with steam, of hot-water mine-pipes in communication with the steam and hot-water spaces of said heaters, a mine-pipe up which the melted substance is raised, and a mine-pipe through which compressed aeriform fluid is discharged into the melted substance in the mine-pipe which raises the same, substantially as described.

17. In an apparatus for mining sulfur by .pipe sunk into the ground and resting upon a mass of artificial rock through which the wellhole is drilled, the inside hot-water pipe, connections between said hot-water pipes and said heaters through which the hot water flows under the pressure of said steam, the pipe up which the melted material is raised, and the pipe for delivering compressed aeriform fluid into said melted material, substantially as described.

19. In apparatus for mining by fusion, and in combination with mine-piping which conducts hot water into the underground deposit, a heater having steam and water inlets and an outlet connected with said mine piping through connections which allow hot water and uncondensed aeriform steam to pass below ground, substantially as described.

20. The combination with mine-piping for introducing fusing fluid into an underground deposit, of a pipe up which the melted material is raised, and means for delivering compressed aeriform fluid into the said pipe, substantially as described.

21. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having a mine-pipe provided at its lower end with a strainer, in combination with a mine pipe opening into said strainer, the first-mentioned pipe having a discharge above the lower end of the last-mentioned pipe and a closure between said discharge and said strainer, substantially as described.

22. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having three mine-pipes located in the same well-hole and opening into the deposit at different levels, in combination with means whereby fusing fluid is supplied through two of said pipes and the melted material is removed through the third, substantially as described.

23. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having three mine-pipes located in the same well-hole and opening into the deposit at different levels, in combination with means whereby fusing fluid is supplied through two of said pipes, and a pipe terminating within the third of said pipes and introducing compressed aeriform fluid into the same, substantially as described.

24. Apparatus formining by fusion, having means for introducing fusing fluid into the de posit and for removing the melted material, which means includes provisions for delivering compressed aeriform fluid into the pipe through which the melted material is removed, substantially as described.

25. The combination with mine-piping opening into an underground deposit, of a heater having steam and water inlets, and also an outlet connection with said mine-piping through which connection the hot water flows under the pressure of the steam in said heater, substantially as described.

26. The combination with mine-pipingopening into an underground deposit, of a heater having steam and water inlets into the same chamber, and also having appliances whereby the steam and water are brought repealedl) into contact therein and an outlet connection with said mine-piping through which connection the hot water flows under the pressure of said steam, substantially as described.

27. A fluid-conveying pipe having a discharge-opening near its lower end and also a strainer located beyond such opening and shut off from the body of the pipe, in combination with an interior fluid-conveying pipe opening into the space within said strainer, substantially as described.

28. Apparatus for mining sulfur by fusion, composed of water-heaters, an air-compressor, mine-piping conducting the water from said heaters into the deposit and the melted sulfur from the same, and a mine-pipe (.lelivering the air from said compressor into the pipe up which the melted sulfur is raised, which apparatus has parts exposed to the melted sulfur galvanized or coated with a metal non-corrodible by sulfur, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HE MAN FHASUI l.

\Vitnesses:

T. W. LOTHMAN, J. C. Uronenovu. 

